<<Insert serious cheese alert>>

As someone once said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”   No joke folks, it rains in Iceland more often than not so if you are planning to have a wedding in Iceland you must embrace this simple fact and be excited to run around in it.  Come along with us today as Gina and Terry show you exactly how to do that!

A sunrise start in mid September began this Iceland adventure wedding day!

After crossing a few rivers via super jeep and then on foot, Gina, Terry, and their intimate wedding party made their way to their ice cave wedding ceremony spot!

The funny thing about rain on your Iceland wedding day, is that most of my couples don’t seem to notice (or care) because they are so high on adrenaline and love!

They may have been soaked and shivering at times, but they got married in front of their gorgeous ice cave in Iceland!  ….Note: Our teams always have your safety in mind so unless an ice cave is fully stable we cannot take you inside.

Gina and Terry held a traditional Asatru Ceremony in front of that ice cave in Iceland. It’s the closest thing to a Viking style wedding ceremony where you hold oath rings to say your vows and take your first drink as newlyweds out of a horn!

This ice cave was formed by snow that fell hundreds of years ago that has been traveling slowly down the glacier.  Pretty neat, huh?

Rain or Shine, this place is pretty flipping EPIC to explore!

One of my favorite moments of the day… It had rained so hard during the ceremony that the water levels were out of control making our bridge we brought useless.  Don’t worry, we always a “plan b” and  “plan c” in our pocket!  The bride and guests took “plan b” which was a piggyback ride through the river and the groom took “plan c” forging it on his own!

Sometimes we find it fun to breakup the Iceland wedding ceremony pieces.  So we continued the awesome “drink from the horn” Asatru tradition at another location.

Lunchtime brought a stop at a mountain hut to dry off and warm up during their fall Iceland wedding day!

What I enjoyed the most about Gina and Terry during their Iceland wedding day was that they genuinely loved and laughed their way through the rain savoring every silly awesome second of it! #couplesgoals

Our secret caves often provide fantastic shelter from the rain during Iceland wedding days!

Woohoo!!  A rain free moment and a rainbow!

But in Iceland they say… If you don’t like the weather, wait a few seconds, it’ll change! And change it did!

Rain is often challenging when it comes at you sideways, these two took it like seasoned champs and made it look GOOD!

Weddings and Waterfalls just go together on Iceland wedding days!

…and then sometimes you have to find your way to Mars to find some sunshine

After an action packed adventure wedding day, Gina, Terry, and their fabulous guests found their way to a delicious dinner!

© 2017, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post Rainy Yet Radiant Iceland Wedding of Gina and Terry appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

The groom, Jared contacted me first with a rather cute email way back in September of 2013 saying, “I’m on an initial scout attempt at epic wedding locations. Searched for Iceland and it brought me to your site.  You’re awesome, exactly what we are looking for.” And then a month or so later his bride Ciara, follows the message up with, “We can Skype soon but we’re currently moving from Alaska to Wyoming, so maybe next week?”   I totally laughed and enjoyed those notes for 2 reasons:

1. Knowing Jared after 2 years of planning, he’s a hardcore adventurer (so is Ciara), a jokester, and pretty straight to the point too! …and Ciara wanted to make sure I knew why there was a delay in their response, you know she’s the super sweet thoughtful half of this dynamic duo.
2. I am happy that even 2 years ago I was spot on my brand message of planning adventure weddings, my vibe, and obviously my virtual personality protruded its way out from my words for folks to be EXCITED when they contacted me. That’s the goal, you know?

When we started planning Ciara and Jared’s August 1^st Iceland wedding almost 2 years ago, they were in love with the idea of getting married at the magnificent Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.  But after a super exciting pre-wedding day portrait session with them the Friday before their Iceland wedding day, I walked them around the area of the waterfall.  They both looked at each other and were overwhelmed by the amount of tourists flocking the areas (it’s changed THAT much in 2 years).

As you know from reading some of my previous posts, having an Iceland wedding in summer can be a bit of a challenge due to the crowds of tourists at all of the famed Route 1 stops.  I’m very aware and conscience that not all budgets allow the luxury of having super jeeps to escape the tourists so sometimes we need to get crafty on angles, get hiking, or I present plan “b” routes on the spot.  While, there were several nook and cranny spots I suggested to Ciara and Jared, that they could have had considered to have a more private feeling at the waterfall, in the end we executed “Plan B!”  There is a little hidden gem of a sod farm nearby we instead held their intimate affair.  Between the grass covered houses, rivers, pathways, cattle, mountains and the stunning 1800’s church it felt right for them.

The morning began at the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel with my “A-Team” of Iceland Hair and Makeup Artists and we were quickly out the door and on our way to the Icelandic Sod Farm.  The Iceland wedding ceremony scene was set with gorgeous colorful rose petals and unforgettable view as Ciara and Jared forever vowed themselves to each other at that Icelandic ranch.  The Iceland wedding day journey continued onto many locations inside the historical UNESCO site, Thingvellir National Park.  Afterwards, guests were welcomed back to a lovely Iceland wedding reception at the ION.  The reception was styled as if guests were stepping onto an Icelandic ranch, it was awesome! Wooden details, burlap, moss, petals for color, and a giant cow skin rug!  Swoon!  Anyhow, we hope you delight in their lovely Iceland wedding images take by Photos by Miss Ann, below!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Planner + Photographer)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Rustic Ranch Wedding in Iceland | Ciara + Jared appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Shira and Matan are one of the most amazing couples I have ever met!  They were brought together by their passion for travel, love of NYC, and have an amazing deep rooted love and respect for each other, that most of us can only hope to have one day.  Seriously, I’m envious!  Shira is beautiful, articulate, and just GLOWS when she is in Matan’s presence!  Matan is beyond GQ, professional, and cares for Shira like every man should.

So you know how I always say that Iceland is moody and unpredictable and you should be prepared for the worst weather conditions no matter the season?  I’m not kidding.  It doesn’t matter if you’re getting married in the middle of winter or summer, you need to be a couple that embraces the essence of Iceland and her fickleness.  Shira and Matan were married on Sunday, July 5^th 2015 and were primed for Iceland’s ever changing conditions and equipped their guests with poncho’s, umbrellas, and luxurious super jeeps for their Iceland wedding adventure.  Turns out they needed them!

The day began at Hotel Grimsborgir which is a beautiful hotel in Selfoss, Iceland.  Shira adorned a beautiful BHLDN dress for their ceremony while, Matan had a custom suit from NYC that was even embroidered with their wedding date!  I love details and all of theirs were swoonable!  The Jewish contract signing began at 7:15am with their immediate family and following all of their guests loaded into the super jeeps for the day’s super-secret Iceland wedding adventure!

The Chuppah was set against a super-secret waterfall and even though it was pouring down with rain, Shira, Matan, and all of their fabulous guests had endless smiles on their faces!  The adventure continued to a glacier and gorgeous cave where the couple held a wonderful champagne toast!  When the adventure concluded, the guests were welcomed to an amazing 4 course Iceland wedding reception that was styled with a very rustic romance vibe with traces of Iceland throughout.  We are super excited to share with you some of our favorites from their day below, enjoy!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer and Adventure Wedding Planner)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Secret Waterfall Wedding in Iceland: Shira + Matan appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.